GORDON, Richard James (1881-1966)
Swansea 1895; Rochdale 1904 (CL 1911); CL Sheffield 1921; CL Leeds 1927-1946
One of the most vitalizing forces in modern public librarianship he, with his Deputy and successor, J P Lamb, reorganized and modernized the moribund system at Sheffield so fully and successfully that it seemed miraculous. He was less successful at Leeds, because provided with less scope but his new branch libraries were outstanding and his staff-team approach was an inspiration to a whole generation. He was active in the LA, President in 1947 and made Honorary Fellow in 1948.